The Domestic Violence Fund when revised upward from the over 60 per cent slash in budget allocation would strengthen response, protection, and prevention services across the country.

The Fund, established in 2011 to support shelters, investigations, legal aid, psychosocial services, rescue efforts, and survivor rehabilitation, has witnessed a drastic reduction in government allocation.

In 2024, the allocation to the fund was GHc2.7 million but that had been reduced to GHc1 million in 2026, representing a reduction of 63 per cent.

Madam Eva Ankrah, Executive Director of HURDS presenting a petition to the Western Regional Coordinating Director, Madam Rachel Fosua Sarpong after a float to create awareness on the subject was worried that the fund should be reduced at a time when cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) were rising nationwide.

The Executive Director of HURDS said the current allocation of GHS 1 million was significantly inadequate to sustain critical, lifesaving services.
She said “Without adequate funding, the national Sexual and Gender-Based Violence response system remains weakened and unable to deliver justice or safety for vulnerable groups”.

HURDS is a rights-based organization, in the Western Region committed to advancing Gender, Justice and Social Inclusion.

According to her, the organization recently noted a disturbing viral video circulating on social media across the country showing a man violently assaulting his wife.

“This heartbreaking incident reflects how countless women and girls suffer abuse behind closed doors and often without support, protection, or access to justice”.
“The national outrage that followed serves as a powerful reminder that gender-based violence remains a critical public concern requiring urgent, sustained, and well-resourced interventions”, She added.

Madam Rachel Fosua Sarpong, Acting Western Regional Coordinating Director who received the petition on behalf of the Regional Minister assured that the petition would be forwarded to the appropriate quarter.
She appreciated the zeal of the organization to improve the lives of women, children and every affected individual of violence.

Some placards for the awareness exercise read “Sexual Violence is not Women issue. It’s everyone’s fight” and “Increase Funding for Domestic Violence Response” among others.